Owen set for Anfield comeback

Michael Owen could not wish for better opponents than Newcastle as he continues his comeback from a lengthy lay-off in the FA Cup fourth round tie at Anfield tomorrow evening.

The England striker has scored more goals against the Magpies than any other club in his career – 13 in nine games – and he is also just two short of 150 for Liverpool.

He is set to become only the eighth Anfield player to reach that milestone in the club’s history.

Liverpool will be without Milan Baros (broken ankle), Vladimir Smicer (Achilles), Chris Kirkland (broken finger), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (groin) and Patrice Luzi (back), while Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf are on international duty.

But Liverpool’s stars returning from lengthy injury – Steve Finnan, Jerzy Dudek, Jamie Carragher, Owen and Steven Gerrard – are all expected to play.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Finnan, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Kewell, Cheyrou, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Biscan, Traore, Heskey, Owen, Jones, Riise, Le Tallec, Welsh, Otsemobor.